When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 19- Changes
A.N: *Hides* Yeah, I'm not even gonna bother apologising, but Return of the King (fabulous isn't it?) has reawakened my Lord of the Rings muse somewhat, and all of you nagging me quite a lot (which I'm touched about btw, its nice to know that you care- even with the death threats which I deserve XD) especially Lisseyelen aka Lady V who has prompted quite a lot in her own fantabulous story Isengard's Captives (I thought she deserved a plug for all the nagging). Now *hopefully* (I've given up promising 'cause I never damn well keep 'em) I will be able to keep up a blistering updating pace and keep y'all happy, and if you have all abandoned me I wouldn't blame ya 'cause, well it's been a while, but reviews would be more than appreciated and questions asked in reviews will be answered next chap. Now a recap for y'all so you don't have to re-read half of the story-
Arwen has agreed to Eryn Vorn elf Astalder's proposal, as long as he can get permission from her father, brothers and Legolas. He has managed to get Elrond and Elrohir's permission through dubious means, and we are unaware of the fate of Elladan, who talked to Astalder last chapter. Legolas, feeling something is not quite right with the sly Astalder, sent his wise advisor Hodoer to try and uncover what truths Astalder might be hiding about himself and his homeland. The wedding is planned for Sunday, and we left Elladan talking to Astalder on Friday. To complicate matters, Arwen is pregnant with (the now sadly departed) Aragorn's child, and Legolas is still hopelessly in love with her- the two shared a moonlit kiss on the balcony last night, but Arwen still managed to walk away from our dashing hero. Astalder doesn't yet know about the baby. Hope that's enough of a recap for everyone, hopefully you'll be able to pick it up if you can't recall everything. Making it nice and long with a little bit of everything to make up for how mean I am!
*
"Mellonin wait!" Elrohir rushed to catch up to Legolas' swift pace. The fair elf turned and was almost crashed into by Elrond's younger son.
"Elrohir, what troubles you?" Legolas said curtly, he had still not quite forgiven the Rivendell elf for giving his blessing to Astalder the night before.
Elrohir looked slightly hurt by the tone but did not pursue it. "It is Elladan, I have not seen him all morning, not since he went to meet with-"
"Astalder," Legolas finished for him, "I might've known. No word at all?" This was disconcerting news, they were all aware of Elladan's distaste for Astalder and Legolas would never doubt the Eryn Vorn elf of being capable to harm another elf standing in his way.
"None. Though I did see Astalder earlier, and when I questioned him he said he had not seen Elladan since he departed from his room an hour prior. But that would be very unlike him not to check in with one of us especially since we knew he was talking to that scum. I have checked Elladan's chambers and the archery grounds, the study and the hall, there is not trace of him anywhere in Rivendell."
Legolas' eyes widened at this, it had suddenly become very serious. "Have you checked with all the guards, wardens, your father?"
"I did not want to concern father, he seems preoccupied of late. And aye the guards and wardens, none have seen hide or hair of him, do you believe Astalder could have done something to him?" Elrohir's eyes held fear, he and his brother, as twins had always shared a closer bond than most.
"You and Haldir go and search the grounds, all of his haunts and I will search the house." Legolas instructed, trying to stay calm and cool if only for Elrohir's sake. The darker elf nodded and dashed off, and Legolas bit his lip, deciding first to check Astalder's room. As he moved off down the hallway he was unaware of a pair of dark eyes watching from the shadows- having observed the conversation- and the owner of said eyes moving from the darkness and following the elven prince silently down the hall.
*
Inside, Arwen was in turmoil, but on the surface her façade was cold and detached, only her eyes mirroring her angst. Her heart ached for Legolas- that moment on the balcony last night had released all the emotions that were trapped inside her, unable to escape. But every time she thought of the loyal Mirkwood prince that held her heart, her good thoughts were squashed by malignant feelings that were not her own, and all she could see was Astalder and how intoxicating he was. It was only in moments of solitude that her conflicted thoughts could be identified, away from both the elves battling for her affection. Whenever she saw Legolas her heart and mind screamed to him for help, for comfort, but out of her mouth came bitter or snide remarks that cut him like a knife, and cut her even deeper.
It was almost as if she was a prisoner inside herself, without control when she needed it most, but when she tried to blame this on Astalder she saw the love and affection he gave her, and his ring, his beautiful mesmerizing ring. Her heart urged her to go to him now, to seek solace in his embrace, so she stood from her bed and passed out into the hall, headed for her fiancé's chamber.
Everything seemed hazy, and the air seemed thick, almost as if it was pushing against her as she neared Astalder's door. She knocked but there was no answer, so she tried the ornate handle and the door swung open easily, but she was suffocating in there as the air all but disappeared.
She pushed inside nonetheless and shut the door behind her, then turning to look around for her lover. Her eyes were drawn to the bed, but there was nothing there, instead there was something under it, poking out. A hand? An arm? As her mind registered this and she fell to her knees by the bed to examine it closer she came to a realization that she recognized the material on the tunic and the mark of nobility on the sleeve. Elladan? The air closed in around her but she drew as deep a breath as she could muster and screamed. Then everything went dark.
*
Legolas heard a scream echo through the hallway and turned, looking each way as his sharp ears tried to identify the direction it had come from, he recognized the pitch though, it was Arwen. He realized it came from the direction in which he was heading, Astalder's room, so he quickened his pace, then a voice called out "Legolas!" and he stopped and turned again, looking around for the owner of the call. There were many corridors and doors leading off in a comfortable winding fashion, but he could see no-one. Shrugging, he continued on his way to Astalder's room.
When he got there he saw Arwen on the floor being cradled by a concerned Astalder, a quick scan of the room assured him that nothing else was amiss.
"What happened?" He asked, too concerned for Arwen to direct his anger towards Astalder, as he too knelt by her side. Astalder held her possessively close as he looked up to Legolas, but his words were not angry either, also full of worry.
"I know not, I was returning back here when I heard a scream, so I hastened back as fast as I may, and found her collapsed on the floor. We must get her to the healing rooms and Lord Elrond."
"Ai, Elbereth. And what of the babe?" Legolas wondered in concern.
Astalder looked towards Legolas sharply.
"Babe?"
*
There was darkness, and something important in the back of her mind. Arwen frowned slightly but could not grasp the slivers of thoughts that eluded her. With a wince, she pulled open her eyes, though it took much effort. At first she thought she had reached the undying lands, as there was a radiant face, haloed by bright gold and light in front of her, as her eyes cleared however, it revealed a face she knew, but a name she could not place.
She frowned and it came back to her. Legolas.
He smiled in relief, lips parting like the petals of a rose touched by the sun.
"Arwen, you wake. Are you well?" She began to smile, warm again after the frozen touch of darkness, but then her gaze hardened.
"Where is Astalder?" Said she, and his eyes fell dark, much pained. Then he was pushed aside and the face of her true sun lit up her gaze.
"I am here meleth, you are safe now." Astalder stroked her raven hair soothingly. Legolas turned his face away bitterly, and stood with fluid grace, elven strength having all but healed his wounds from the competition.
"Seeing you are well, I shall take my leave milady." He said quietly, masking once again the pain in his heart with formality. He turned back a last time having received no reply and saw that which made his blood run cold, Arwen deep in a kiss with Astalder, her arms around his neck craving contact. Legolas thought he might break and began to walk away.
"Legolas, wait." It was as though he was on a leash like some trained dog, and he jerked to a stop and slowly turned, afraid of what he might see while summoned by Arwen's voice.
Astalder was sitting beside Arwen, who was now sitting up quite regally, his fingers entwined in hers and a contented look on both their faces.
"Astalder, would you leave us for a moment? I wish to speak to Legolas alone if I may?" Legolas' stomach turned. The strong willed Arwen asking permission from this filth, to talk to her own friend? At least he thought he was a friend, and after last night, he had hoped he was perhaps more. Apparently not.
"Of course Arwen meleth. I will await your calling." Astalder gave her a gentle but clearly territorial kiss on the cheek before sweeping past the Mirkwood prince without even a look.
"Legolas mellonin, come and sit beside me for a time." Arwen said in a gentle lilt, patting the spot that Astalder had just vacated. Hesitantly Legolas stepped forward and perched tensely on the edge of the bed, avoiding Arwen's gaze for fear of the coldness and emptiness he would see within the depths of her once radiant eyes.
"Why, my greenest of leaves, you cannot even bear to look at me." Her voice was musical, but it was somehow not her own. It had a sinister edge to the casual singsong melody. He did not turn, but felt her feather-light fingers dance along the edge of his collar and trail up the side of his neck, to trace along the edge of his jaw. He shivered unconsciously, both from her touch and the tone of her voice. A finger strayed up to trace the line of his bottom lip with a nail and he finally turned- slightly breathless without having noticed the change- and looked down to her face. It was as he feared. Her eyes were hollow but her mouth was twisted into some mockery of a gentle smile, devoid of the warmth and brightness that were at home there. It was more of a smirk, as if she knew she had him right where she wanted him, and he was a helpless fly caught in her web. It was a sobering comparison, but one -Legolas realized with sinking heart – was completely true, he could not leave her now even if he wanted to.
"Better." She breathed out, almost in a whisper. There was almost a fleeting flash of pain in those eyes, but it was gone before he had time to register it. He wondered if it had been his imagination.
She bit her lip ever so slightly, as if nervous, and for a moment, that innocent and slightly confused look was back on her face, the Arwen he knew and loved. But the edge to her voice told a different story.
"Oh how you love me Legolas, and you believe I don't see it? You run around and about, playing hero and protecting my honor, cherishing every moment you catch a glimpse of me and every time you catch a scent of me on the breeze." She brought her hand back from where her finger had stayed over his lips down to grasp his collar and she pulled him forward 'til they were mere centimeters apart, and she whispered, her sweet breath brushing against his lips.
"You may think I don't know…"
Then she pulled him down further, her lips crashing violently against his own, her silken tongue stealing through his barriers and plunging into his mouth. At first it was mind-altering, Legolas was caught in the needs and desires that she apparently knew he hid, but then it became most unwelcome, his body betraying what his mind and heart instructed him and it seemed almost ravishment, as if his mind was being invaded. This was not the Arwen he knew, it was barely even a shadow of her, so different was the experience from that of the night before. His soul felt bared as if he kept no secrets from her, but not in a trusting and tender way. Finally with a gasp he managed to pull away, parched for air and his eyes wide with shock. He felt his cheeks were hot with embarrassment at what had befallen him when he had let his guards down, and anger at her betrayal and temptation.
With alarm he tasted the coppery tang of his own blood in his mouth, she must have bitten him without him realizing, indeed she smirked and wiped a spot of his blood from her lip with a graceful finger, and put it into her mouth with a teasing look. Then a harsher voice that was certainly not her own finished the sentence she had interrupted for that…mockery of a kiss.
"…but really, I just don't care. Get out." Legolas looked at her with anger and disbelief, not truly at Arwen, but at whatever had overcome her.
"Leech," He hissed, "You are not Arwen."
"If you make me tell you again, Thranduilion I shall call the guards, and have you expelled from Imladris." Arwen said darkly.
"Whatever Astalder has done to you will not be allowed to endure, this is not the end." Legolas growled, and stalked out of the room, passing Astalder in the hall, whom had a triumphant look upon his face.
It was only when the door had slammed shut and Arwen was left alone in suffocating silence once more, did she begin to cry.
*
(Imladris for those who don't know is the elvish name for Rivendell)
Well chaps, that's chapter 19 up together, action packed I know, not a lotta development but this is building up for the big happenings in the next few chapter, I hope this clears up a little about Arwen's behavior of late, while remaining ambiguous (otherwise what would be the point in reading if I answered all your questions?). So please, please, PLEASE, review? I need to know how you thought I did after my long hiatus. I'll be updating again soon as it's the Christmas holidays so hopefully I'll have more time!
Thanks for reading!